Inexperienced Heart

Chapter 15: The Experiment

The next morning, Logan woke up early and knocked on Landa's door. No answer. "Still asleep," he assumed. He opened the door and crept into her room.

"Landa!" he whispered several times, trying to wake her up. Then, he shook her. Sleepily, she opened her eyes and said, "What...what?"

"Shhhh," Logan hissed. He was still pretty mad about last night. And he didn't want to wake anyone else up in the house. Landa slowly reached a sitting position and placed her back against the wall. She yawned and said, "I'm so sleepy." When she realized Logan had come to see her, she was cross and said angrily, "Why did you wake me up? And why so early?"

"I'm sorry, Landa. I just wanted to suggest a brilliant idea to you," he responded.

"Couldn't it wait till morning?" Landa asked, annoyed.

"Fine! You can go back to sleep! It is morning anyway!" he said angrily and stalked off.

Landa, realizing she offended Logan, got out of bed and followed Logan in her nightgown, calling to him, "Wait! Logan, I didn't mean it!" Noticing that Logan was heading towards the front door, she ran to catch up with him. As he turned the knob, Landa reached him and grabbed his arm. She looked earnestly into his face and said, "Logan, I'm sorry. Where are you going?"

"Home," was his complete answer.

"Logan, please don't go," Landa pleaded.

"I haven't been with my parents for a while. I miss them, especially my mom," he said sadly. Sympathetic, Landa flung herself at Logan in an embracing hug. Logan just stood there. He didn't hug Landa back. When she finally released him, she said, "I'm sorry, Logan. Please tell me your idea. I'll listen, I promise." Instead of answering her question, he asked her another question.

"Why do you keep hugging me if you like Roco?"

"Because you're my friend," she said simply.

"Yeah, but I think Roco would get pretty jealous if he saw you hugging me."

"When I said I liked him, I wasn't totally sure, but I think I like him. I don't know." Landa felt depressed. Slowly, she turned around and walked away. Logan looked after her, also feeling depressed and discouraged. Then, he called to her when she was halfway up the stairs.

"Landa!" he called. She turned and looked at him. Just at that moment, Goldtin stirred and woke up.

"What's all the commotion for?" he asked.

"I'm sorry, Goldtin, sir," Logan said apologetically.

"Since when did you call me 'sir'?"

"Is everything alright?" said Mrs. Polymer, from her bedroom.

"Yes, thank you, Mrs. Polymer," answered Goldtin. Then, he looked at his sleeping wife and mumbled, "She's the only one who can keep on snoozing during all these disturbances." He noticed Logan still standing in front of him and said, "Why are you still standing there? You can go." Then, he said, more to himself than to anyone else, "No point in going back to sleep now."

Logan thanked Goldtin and went up the stairs. Landa wasn't there anymore, so Logan went into her room. She was still in her nightgown. When he entered, Landa looked at him and continued combing her hair.

"Landa," he started, looking at her, "I'm sorry I-"

Landa dropped her brush deliberately, walked over to him, grabbed his hands, and interrupted him, saying, "No, it was my fault. I'm sorry."

"You've told me you're sorry about a dozen times now," he exaggerated.

"But I am."

"I believe you." Then, Landa fell into his arms and this time, Logan hugged her back. With her head on Logan's shoulder, Logan and Landa danced around in the room. After a while, Landa started humming and then, she started singing softly in her beautiful voice.